BSc (Med Sci) & BSc (Dent Sci) Clinical Medicine Specialist Course 4: Inflammation Medicine MED4042

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Medicine Dentistry and Nursing
  • Credits: 30
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

The course covers both basic and clinically applied immunology, aiming to give the student an understanding of the entire immune system under physiological and pathological conditions.

Timetable

On average approximately 6 x 1.5 hour sessions per week in Semester One, and 2 x 1.5 hour session per week in Semester 2.

Requirements of Entry

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Actively enrolled in an MBChB or BDS and normally have successfully completed at least the first 3 years. Exceptionally, some external students from specific partner institutions may join the course after completion of two years of MBChB or BDS (or equivalent); however award of the intercalated degree will be withheld until they have subsequently completed the required number of additional credits (or equivalent) at their home institution.

Recommended Entry Requirements

Will normally be placed within the top 50% of the year and have demonstrated good academic progress.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

BSc (Med Sci), BSc (Dent Sci) Clinical Medicine Core Course

BSc (Med Sci), BSc (Dent Sci) Clinical Medicine Research Project

BSc (Med Sci), BSc (Dent Sci) Clinical Medicine Statistics

Assessment

Assessment

65% written examination in April/May

35% review essay completed during 2nd semester.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Course Aims

This course aims to provide students with increased knowledge of the immune system, and insight into infectious, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The course will also cover application of immunological techniques in areas such as vaccination and transplantation.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

 

Evaluate the role of the immune system in health and disease;

Critically appraise the current scientific understanding of the immunopathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease)

Critically discuss the principles, applications and limitations of the main techniques used in modern immunology laboratories;

Evaluate how current immunological techniques and applications help inform clinical practice.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.

Attendance of at least 80% of lectures and tutorials is mandatory along with active participation in the seminar and other teaching opportunities.